Surgical suction jar

ABSTRACT

A surgical suction jar is provided with a disposable flexible bag having two nipples at the top passed in air-tight fashion through the cover of the jar. One nipple has an extension to the bottom of the bag into a layer of antiseptic liquid acting as a water seal and can be connected to a conduit to be attached to a catheter. The other nipple is connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of the bag. The bag is maintained in relatively inflated condition by means of vacuum applied to the interior of the jar outside the bag, for which purpose the jar has a third passage for connection to the source of vacuum. In a preferred embodiment the interior of the bag and the interior of the jar outside the bag are selectively connected to the source of vacuum and the atmosphere through a three-way valve, and a pressure reducing valve controls the vacuum applied to the interior of the bag.

United States Patent [191 Timrnermans SURGICAL SUCTION JAR Inventor: Claus Jurgen Timmermans,

Schiphorsterweg 15, De Wijk, Netherlands Filed: Feb. 16, 1971 Appl. No.: 115,420

Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 20, 1970 Netherlands 7002440 [52] U.S. C1. 128/277 [1 1 3,782,384 Jan. 1,1974

Primary ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbaum Att0rneyStrauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz [57] ABSTRACT A surgical suction jar is provided with a disposable flexible bag having two nipples at the top passed in air-tight fashion through the cover of the jar. One nipple has an extension to the bottom of the bag into a layer of antiseptic liquid acting as a water seal and can be connected to a conduit to be attached to a catheter. The other nipple is connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of the bag. The bag ismaintained in relatively inflated condition by means of vacuum applied to the interior of the jar outside the bag, for which purpose the jar has a third passage forconnection to the source of vacuum. in a preferred embodiment the interior of the bag and the interior of the jar outside the bag are selectively connected to the source of vacuum and the atmosphere through a three-way valve, and a pressure reducing valve controls the vacuum applied to the lnterior of the bag.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures mmm um Y 3.782.384

SHEEI 1 0F 3 INVENTOR. CLAUS JURGEN TIMMERMANS ATTORNEYS I 1 PAIENTEUJAN 11974 3.782.384

' SHEET 2 or 3 INVENTOR. CLAUS JURGEN TIMMERMANS ATTORN EYS SURGICAL SUCTION JAR This invention relates to a suction jar, in particular for surgical purposes.

In medical treatments, particularly in surgery, it is often necessary to drain fluids etc. from a body cavity of a patient. Conventional for these purposes is a socalled suction jar of the kind comprising a rigid vessel with a detachable cover adapted to be hermetically connected to it, the cover having a first passage through which a tube extends in sealing relationship down to the vicinity of the bottom of the vessel, the.

tube being adapted to be connected to a body cavity of a patient, and a second passage through which air can be withdrawn from the interior of the vessel.

Owing to the use of vacuum, such a jar must be of strong construction and is therefore heavy. Consequently, one drawback of such jars is that they are unwieldy owing to their weight and size. other drawbacks are that, when the body fluids from the patient have to be analyzed or the jar must be cleaned, the instrument has to be transported to a rinsing department for operations such as sampling, disinfection, and making it ready for use again. Naturally, while the instrument is in the rinsing department, another jar must be available for the patient.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid the above and other drawbacks.

According to the invention, there is provided a suction jar, in particular for surgical purposes, cpmprising a rigid vessel with a detachable cover adapted to be heremetically connected to said vessel, a flexible bag within said vessel, a dipleg within said bag extending from first nipple means on the top of said bag down to the vicinity of the bottom thereof, second nipple means on the top of said bag, said first and said second nipple means respectively passed through first and second passages in said cover in air-tight fashion, a third passage in said vessel communicating with the interior thereof exterior of said bag, said first nipple means being adapted to be connected to first conduit means arranged to be connected to a catheter, said second nipple means being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said bag, and said third passage being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said vessel exterior of said bag.

The flexible bag, in which the fluids are collected, is a separate part, adapted tothe vessel of the suction jar, which is of light weight and can easily be handled, while the suction jar proper remains available in the operating room or elsewhere. After use, that is, either immediately after being removed from the suction jar, or after its contents having been removed in the rinsing department, the bag can be thrown away.

One embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In said drawings,

FIG. 1 is a sideview of a suction jar according to the invention suspended from a wall by means of a special bracket;

FIG. 2 is a sideview of a separate flexible bag;

FIG. 3 is a sideview of the suction jar according to the invention in a position suitable for introducing or removing the flexible bag;

FIG. 4 illustrates the location of a three-way valve in the drainage tubing system;

FIG. 4a shows the three-way valve in a different position.

FIG. 1 shows a suction jar comprising a vessel 11 constituted by a glass tube 2 received in a fixed foot 3 and a rim 4, the vessel 1 having a cover 5. The assembly is suspended from bracket 6, which in turn is secured to a wall 7. Cover 5 can be connected to rim 4 in hermetically sealing relationship. A flexible bag 8, shown in FIG. 2, is already contained in vessel 1 before cover 5 is positioned. Flexible bag 8 has two nipples l0 and 11 secured to its upper wall 13. Nipple 10 extends into the interior of bag 8 down to the vicinity of the bottom of bag 8, thereby forming a dipleg l2. Nipple l1 terminates at the upper wall-13. Nipples 10 and 11 extend through cover 5 in sealing relationship, so that when cover 5 has been positioned on vessel 1 in hermetically sealing relationship, two separate spaces are formed,

namely, space 14 betweenflexible bag 8 and the interior wall of vessel 1, and the interior 15 of flexiblebag 8 proper. Connected to rim 4 is a tube coupling 16, one part 16a of which is secured to bracket 6. Coupling part 16b is secured to rim 4. Coupling 16 is also a mechanical coupling, which partly carries vessel 1. Through coupling 16, space 14 is in communication with conduit 17 leading to a suction device not shown. At its bottom, vessel 1 is carried by a projection 19 of bracket 6.

The operation of the suction jar according to the invention is as follows. The end of a conduit 20 is placed in a body cavity of a patient. A conduit 21 is connected to nipple 1 1 and leads to a suction device not shown via a reducing valve 22 for controlling the vacuum. In the first place vacuum is applied to space 14, whereby the flexible bag 8 expands and is drawn smoothly against the interior wall of vessel 1. Then suction is applied through conduit 21, whereby the body cavity of the patient is evacuated through conduit 20 and dipleg 12. Generally speaking, as is the case in known devices of this kind, the bag 8 is filled with a small layer of a disinfectant liquid 24. This liquid also acts as a water seal, that is to say, if the vacuum in the flexible bag should accidentally become too high, so as to create danger for the patient, this can at once be visually observed, because the liquid rises considerably.

When evacuation is completed, or when bag 8 is full and has to be replaced by a new bag, the attendant disconnects coupling 16, which releases the vacuum in space 14. Coupling part 16a automatically shuts off its opening.

During the uncoupling operation, the suction jar performs a pivotal movement about member 20 until foot 3 abuts against stop 23. In this inclined position, shown in FIG. 3, cover 5 can be readily released after conduits 20 and 21 have been removed from nipples l0 and 11. The bag can now be removed and discarded or dealt with further as described above.

In order to facilitate the operation of the suction jar according to the invention in the removal of a flexible bag, and also to prevent the vacuum in space 14 to be released before the release of vacuum within bag 8, which creates the danger of the contents of bag 8 being forced into conduit 21 and valve 22, according to the invention, both the connection of conduit 17 and that of conduit 22 are controlled by one and the same threeway valve 25, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4.

Three-way valve 25 with handle 28 is connected to conduit 21, conduit 17, suction conduit 26, and to atmosphere through conduit 27. The position shown in FIG. 4 is the working position for the evacuation of a body cavity as described above. When a bag is to be removed, the attendant adjusts valve 25 to the position as shown in FIG. 4a. Conduits 22 and 17 are then both connected to atmosphere through conduit 27, so that normal atmospheric pressure will be restored in both space 14 and bag 8. To ensure that normal pressure is not restored more rapidly in space 14 than in bag 8, throttle means 29 are provided in conduit 17.

I claim:

1. A suction jar, in particular for surgical purposes, comprising a rigid vessel with a detachable cover adapted to be hermetically connected to said vessel, a flexible bag within said vessel, a dipleg within said bag extending from first nipple means on the top of said bag down to the vicinity of thebottom thereof, second nipple means on the top of said bag, said first and said second nipple means being respectively passed through first and second passages in said cover in air-tight fashion, a third passage in said vessel communicating with the interior thereof exterior of said bag, said first nipple means being adapted to be connected to first conduit means arranged to be connected to a catheter, said second nipple means being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said bag, and said third passage being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said vessel exterior of said bag, there being provided a three-way valve, the four stubs of which are respectively in communication with said second nipple means, said third passage, a source of vacuum, and atmosphere.

2. A suction jar according to claim 1, wherein a reducing valve is provided in a conduit extending between said second nipple and the source of vacuum.

3. A suction jar for surgical purposes, comprising: a rigid vessel; a detachable cover hermetically connectable to said vessel, said cover having first and second apertures therethrough; a flexible bag removably dis posed within said vessel, said bag having an upper wall and first and second nipples extending from said upper wall and providing communication with the interior of said bag through said upper wall, said nipples extending through the apertures in said cover in airtight relationship therewith, said first nipple being adapted to be connected to a first conduit leading to a catheter and said second nipple being adapted to be connected to a vacuum source to apply a vacuum to the interior of the flexible bag; a third passage through said vessel providing communication between the interior and the exterior thereof externally of the flexible bag; and means for providing communication between said third passage and a vacuum cource for the application of a vacuum to the interior of the rigid vessel externally of the flexible bag, whereby the interior of said bag and the spacebetween the bag and the rigid vessel can be independently evacuated and whereby said bag can be removed from said vessel without the cover.

4. The suction jar of claim 3, together with a dipleg extending from said first nipple through said bag to the opposite end thereof.

5. A suction jar for surgical purposes, comprising: a rigid vessel; a detachable cover hermetically connectable to said vessel; 21 flexible bar removably disposed within said vessel and introducable thereinto when said cover is removed therefrom; a first means adapted to provide communication between the interior of the flexible bag and a first conduit leading to a catheter; a second conduit adapted to be connected to a vacuum source; a second means for providing communication between the interior of the flexible bag and said second conduit; a third passage through said vessel providing communication between the interior thereof externally of the flexible bag; means for providing communication between said third passage and a vacuum source for the application of a vacuum to the interior of the rigid vessel externally of the flexible bag; and means for insuring that the pressure in said flexible bag remains higher than the pressure in said rigid vessel externally of said bag during the operation of said suction jar to thereby keep said bag from collapsing, said last-mentioned means comprising a reducing valve interposed in said second conduit and said third passage being isolated from said second means and that portion of the second conduit between said reducing valve and said second means so that a pressure differential can be maintained therebetween.

6. The combination of a suction jar for surgical purposes and support means therefor, said suction jar comprising: a rigid vessel, a detachable cover adapted to be hermetically connected to said vessel, a flexible bag within said vessel, a first nipple means on top of said bag, a dipleg within said bag extending from first nipple means down to the vicinity of the bottom thereof, a second nipple means on the top of said bag, passage means in said cover through which said first and said second nipple means can pass in airtight fashion, and a third passage through said vessel communicating with the in terior thereof exteriorly of said bag, said first nipple means being adapted to be connected to a first conduit means arranged to be connected to a cathether, said second nipple means being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said bag, and said third passage being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said vessel exteriorly of said bag; and said support means comprising: a bracket adapted to be secured to a wall or the like, afirst means pivotally connecting said jar to said bracket means and including means for limiting the angle through which said jar can pivot relative to said bracket, and a second means for fixing said jar to said bracket which includesa suction conduit system comprising a detachable coupling, said system being connected to said jar in communication with said third passage.

7. The combination of a suction jar for surgical purposes and support means therefor, said suction jar comprising: a rigid vessel, a detachable cover adapted to be hermetically connected to said vessel, a flexible bag within said vessel, a first nipple means on top of said bag, a dipleg within said bag extending from first nipple means down to the vicinity of the bottom thereof, a second nipple means on the top of said bag, passages in said detachable cover through which said first and said second nipple means can pass in airtight fashion, and a third passage through said vessel communicating with the interior thereof exteriorly of said bag, said first nipple means being adapted to be connected to a first conduit means arranged to be connected to a catheter, said second nipple means being adapted to be connected to cally coupling said jar to said bracket, said second means including a suction conduit system connected to said jar in communication with said third passage, said suction conduit system comprising: a coupling which has two detachable components, one of said components including means for automatically interrupting communication through the suction conduit system when the coupling components are detached. 

1. A suction jar, in particular for surgical purposes, comprising a rigid vessel with a detachable cover adapted to be hermetically connected to said vessel, a flexible bag within said vessel, a dipleg within said bag extending from first nipple means on the top of said bag down to the vicinity of the bottom thereof, second nipple means on the top of said bag, said first and said second nipple means being respectively passed through first and second passages in said cover in air-tight fashion, a third passage in said vessel communicating with the interior thereof exterior of said bag, said first nipple means being adapted to be connected to first conduit means arranged to be connected to a catheter, said second nipple means being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said bag, and said third passage being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said vessel exterior of said bag, there being provided a three-way valve, the four stubs of which are respectively in communication with said second nipple means, said third passage, a source of vacuum, and atmosphere.
 2. A suction jar according to claim 1, wherein a reducing valve is provided in a conduit extending between said second nipple and the source of vacuum.
 3. A suction jar for surgical purposes, comprising: a rigid vessel; a detachable cover hermetically connectable to said vessel, said cover having first and second apertures therethrough; a flexible bag removably disposed within said vessel, said bag having an upper wall and first and second nipples extending from said upper wall and providing communication with the interior of said bag through said upper wall, said nipples extending through the apertures in said cover in airtight relationship therewith, said first nipple being adapted to be connected to a first conduit leading to a catheter and said second nipple being adapted to be connected to a vacuum source to apply a vacuum to the interior of the flexible bag; a third passage through said vessel providing communication between the interior and the exterior thereof externally of the flexible bag; and means for providing communication between said third passage and a vacuum cource for the application of a vacuum to the interior of the rigid vessel externally of the flexible bag, whereby the interior of said bag and the space between the bag and the rigid vessel can be independently evacuated and whereby said bag can be removed from said vessel without the cover.
 4. The suction jar of claim 3, together with a dipleg extending from said first nipple through said bag to the opposite end thereof.
 5. A suction jar for surgical purposes, comprising: a rigid vessel; a detachable cover hermetically connectable to said vessel; a flexible bar removably disposed within said vessel and introducable thereinto when said cover is removed therefrom; a first means adapted to provide commUnication between the interior of the flexible bag and a first conduit leading to a catheter; a second conduit adapted to be connected to a vacuum source; a second means for providing communication between the interior of the flexible bag and said second conduit; a third passage through said vessel providing communication between the interior and the exterior thereof externally of the flexible bag; means for providing communication between said third passage and a vacuum source for the application of a vacuum to the interior of the rigid vessel externally of the flexible bag; and means for insuring that the pressure in said flexible bag remains higher than the pressure in said rigid vessel externally of said bag during the operation of said suction jar to thereby keep said bag from collapsing, said last-mentioned means comprising a reducing valve interposed in said second conduit and said third passage being isolated from said second means and that portion of the second conduit between said reducing valve and said second means so that a pressure differential can be maintained therebetween.
 6. The combination of a suction jar for surgical purposes and support means therefor, said suction jar comprising: a rigid vessel, a detachable cover adapted to be hermetically connected to said vessel, a flexible bag within said vessel, a first nipple means on top of said bag, a dipleg within said bag extending from first nipple means down to the vicinity of the bottom thereof, a second nipple means on the top of said bag, passage means in said cover through which said first and said second nipple means can pass in airtight fashion, and a third passage through said vessel communicating with the interior thereof exteriorly of said bag, said first nipple means being adapted to be connected to a first conduit means arranged to be connected to a cathether, said second nipple means being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said bag, and said third passage being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said vessel exteriorly of said bag; and said support means comprising: a bracket adapted to be secured to a wall or the like, a first means pivotally connecting said jar to said bracket means and including means for limiting the angle through which said jar can pivot relative to said bracket, and a second means for fixing said jar to said bracket which includes a suction conduit system comprising a detachable coupling, said system being connected to said jar in communication with said third passage.
 7. The combination of a suction jar for surgical purposes and support means therefor, said suction jar comprising: a rigid vessel, a detachable cover adapted to be hermetically connected to said vessel, a flexible bag within said vessel, a first nipple means on top of said bag, a dipleg within said bag extending from first nipple means down to the vicinity of the bottom thereof, a second nipple means on the top of said bag, passages in said detachable cover through which said first and said second nipple means can pass in airtight fashion, and a third passage through said vessel communicating with the interior thereof exteriorly of said bag, said first nipple means being adapted to be connected to a first conduit means arranged to be connected to a catheter, said second nipple means being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said bag, and said third passage being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for the application of vacuum to the interior of said vessel exteriorly of said bag; and said support means comprising: a bracket adapted to be secured to a wall or the like, a first means pivotally connecting said jar to said bracket means and including means for limiting the angle through which said jar can pivot relative to said bracket and a second means for detachably mechanically coupling said jar to said bracket, said seconD means including a suction conduit system connected to said jar in communication with said third passage, said suction conduit system comprising: a coupling which has two detachable components, one of said components including means for automatically interrupting communication through the suction conduit system when the coupling components are detached. 